Category: Startup

Chai Discovery, an AI startup founded in 2024, is revolutionizing the field of drug discovery. The company’s cutting-edge algorithm, Chai-2, is designed to expedite the creation of crucial antibodies for combating diseases, positioning Chai Discovery as a sophisticated ‘computer-aided design suite’ for molecules.

With a recent Series B funding round of $130 million and a valuation of $1.3 billion, Chai Discovery has emerged as a prominent player in the biotech industry. The company’s collaboration with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly underscores the growing significance of AI in pharmaceutical research, heralding a new era of accelerated drug development processes. Simultaneously, Eli Lilly’s venture with Nvidia to establish an AI drug discovery lab in San Francisco exemplifies the industry’s collective push towards integrating big data, computing power, and scientific knowledge to enhance medical breakthroughs.

While some may question the transformative potential of AI in drug development, Chai Discovery’s rapid ascent and strategic alliances suggest a paradigm shift in the way pharmaceuticals are researched and developed. The convergence of AI technologies and biopharmaceutical expertise represents a promising trajectory towards more efficient and effective drug discovery methodologies.

Source: TechCrunch

EtherealX, an Indian space technology startup, has seen a remarkable 5.5x increase in valuation, reaching $80.5 million following its recent funding round. The company is focusing on developing a reusable launch vehicle and is in the process of conducting engine hot-fire tests in preparation for its first technology demonstration flight scheduled for 2027.

With a $20.5 million Series A funding round led by TDK Ventures and BIG Capital, EtherealX aims to revolutionize the space industry. Notable investors such as Accel, Prosus, and YourNest have also shown interest in the startup, reflecting the growing attention on space tech innovations.

India’s space sector is expanding rapidly, and EtherealX is at the forefront of this growth. Seeking to enhance launch capacity and flexibility in a market dominated by SpaceX, EtherealX’s reusable vehicle concept could potentially reduce launch costs and increase flight frequency significantly.

EtherealX’s development of two in-house engines, the ‘Pegasus’ upper-stage engine and the ‘Stallion’ booster engine, marks a significant technical milestone. These engines are set for hot-fire tests in June–July, showcasing the company’s commitment to advancing space propulsion technology.

Co-founder and CEO Manu J. Nair revealed plans for a technology demonstration launch in late 2027, paving the way for commercial missions starting in 2028. The startup’s approach and timeline underscore its position as a key player in the evolving space exploration landscape.

Source: TechCrunch

The Indian Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling against Tiger Global in a tax case related to its involvement in the Walmart-Flipkart deal, impacting offshore investment strategies. The case centered on whether Tiger Global could leverage its Mauritius-based entities to avoid paying capital gains tax in India following its exit from Flipkart during Walmart’s acquisition. The Supreme Court’s decision overturns previous rulings and strengthens India’s stance against tax avoidance through offshore structures.

Investors are closely monitoring this case due to its implications on cross-border deals and tax obligations in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. The verdict challenges the common practice of using treaty-routing structures to reduce tax liabilities on high-value transactions, potentially reshaping how global funds approach investments in India.

Tiger Global’s initial investment in Flipkart dates back to 2009, culminating in a substantial stake sale to Walmart in 2018. The tax dispute highlights the complexities of structuring cross-border investments and the limitations of seeking tax relief through bilateral treaties.

Source: TechCrunch

Berlin-based startup Parloa has recently secured $350 million in Series D funding from existing investors, tripling its valuation to $3 billion. This substantial funding round, led by General Catalyst, marks a significant milestone for the six-year-old customer service AI company.

Just eight months ago, Parloa had raised $120 million, valuing the company at $1 billion. The latest funding round showcases the growing interest and confidence in Parloa’s AI technology, which aims to revolutionize customer service by automating tasks traditionally handled by human representatives and help desk staff.

Competing against players like Sierra and Decagon, Parloa remains focused on the vast potential of the software market. Parloa’s CEO, Malte Kosub, emphasized that the industry is not a ‘winner-take-all’ scenario, highlighting the immense opportunity for growth and innovation.

With the customer support workforce estimated at 17 million globally by Gartner, companies like Parloa are at the forefront of reshaping how businesses interact with their customers. The substantial funding secured by Parloa indicates a promising trajectory towards becoming a key player in the AI customer service landscape.

Source: TechCrunch

Symbolic.ai, an AI-powered journalism startup, has secured a significant partnership with News Corp, the media conglomerate owned by Rupert Murdoch. This collaboration signifies a notable advancement in the integration of AI technology within the journalism industry, particularly in optimizing editorial processes and research tasks.

Newsrooms have been exploring AI applications for some time, often in experimental capacities. However, Symbolic.ai aims to move beyond experimentation, offering its AI platform to enhance journalistic workflows. With News Corp planning to implement Symbolic’s AI technology in its financial news hub Dow Jones Newswires, the startup’s platform is poised to streamline various content creation tasks.

Founded by former eBay CEO Devin Wenig and Ars Technica co-founder Jon Stokes, Symbolic.ai claims that its AI tool can significantly boost productivity, with up to 90% gains in complex research activities. The platform’s capabilities span a range of functions, including newsletter generation, audio transcription, fact-checking, headline optimization, and SEO guidance.

News Corp’s collaboration with Symbolic.ai reflects a broader industry trend of integrating AI into media operations. Previously partnering with OpenAI and exploring licensing agreements with other AI firms, News Corp’s adoption of AI showcases a strategic shift towards leveraging technology to enhance journalistic output.

Source: TechCrunch

AI video startup Higgsfield, founded by former Snap executive Alex Mashrabov, has reached a $1.3 billion valuation after securing an additional $80 million in funding, expanding its Series A round to $130 million. The company’s tool enables users to create and edit AI-generated videos, catering to consumers, creators, and social media teams.

With significant user adoption, Higgsfield boasts over 15 million users and has achieved a remarkable $200 million annual revenue run rate. This growth places the company in a competitive position against industry players like Lovable, Cursor, OpenAI, Slack, and Zoom.

Transitioning from casual content creation to a professional business tool, Higgsfield now targets professional social media marketers as its primary users. Despite some controversy around certain content, the platform remains popular for fashion and Hollywood-style storytelling projects.

Source: TechCrunch

OpenAI has made a significant investment in Merge Labs, a startup founded by CEO Sam Altman that focuses on advancing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Merge Labs aims to bridge biological and artificial intelligence to enhance human abilities, with OpenAI contributing the largest sum in Merge Labs’ $250 million seed round, valuing the company at $850 million.

Merge Labs envisions a future where interfacing with neurons at scale can restore lost abilities, support healthier brain states, deepen human connections, and expand creative capacities alongside advanced AI. The company plans to achieve these goals through noninvasive methods, using innovative technologies that connect with neurons utilizing molecules rather than electrodes, and transmit information using modalities like ultrasound.

Altman’s venture into BCIs through Merge Labs puts the company in direct competition with Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which also works on brain-computer interface technology but currently requires invasive surgery for implantation. While Neuralink focuses on medical applications, Merge Labs appears more interested in combining human biology with AI to unlock new capabilities.

OpenAI views BCIs as a crucial frontier that can revolutionize communication, learning, and interaction. The investment in Merge Labs signifies a growing interest in leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance human potential and explore new ways of interfacing with AI.

Source: TechCrunch

As the world faces a potential copper shortage by 2040, Transition Metal Solutions, a startup, is pioneering the use of probiotics to revolutionize copper production. By leveraging a specialized microbial cocktail, the company has discovered a method to increase copper output by 20% to 30%, akin to introducing probiotics to copper mines. This breakthrough technology comes at a crucial time when demand for copper is skyrocketing, with companies like KoBold investing heavily in the sector.

Traditionally, microbes have played a vital role in extracting copper from ore. Transition Metal Solutions’ approach focuses on enhancing microbial performance through innovative additives, marking a significant departure from conventional methods. By securing a $6 million seed funding round, the company is poised to scale its operations and potentially reshape the copper industry’s landscape.

Transition Metal Solutions’ CEO emphasized the importance of reimagining microbial processes in copper extraction. Instead of conventional practices, the startup’s novel approach highlights the transformative potential of probiotics in optimizing copper production efficiency, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable mining practices.

Source: TechCrunch

Two co-founders from Thinking Machines Lab, Barret Zoph and Luke Metz, are returning to OpenAI, signaling a significant shift in the AI talent landscape. Zoph, the former CTO of Thinking Machines, and Metz, a co-founder, are rejoining the OpenAI team, along with former OpenAI employee Sam Schoenholz.

Thinking Machines CEO Mira Murati announced Zoph’s departure, welcoming Soumith Chintala as the new CTO. OpenAI CEO Fidji Simo expressed excitement in welcoming back Zoph, Metz, and Schoenholz, stating that the transitions had been in the works for several weeks.

Metz and Schoenholz both have prior experience at OpenAI, while Zoph, previously the VP of research at OpenAI, brings expertise from Google and OpenAI. Murati, the CEO of Thinking Machines and former CTO of OpenAI, co-founded the startup with Zoph and Metz.

Thinking Machines Lab, backed by significant financial support, closed a $2 billion seed round last July, valuing the company at $12 billion. The talent movements between the two AI-focused organizations highlight the competitive nature of the industry, where top professionals play key roles in shaping the future of AI development.

Source: TechCrunch

Emversity, an Indian workforce-training startup, has secured $30 million in a recent funding round as it expands its efforts to provide job-ready training in India’s evolving job market. The startup is focusing on roles that AI automation cannot replace, aiming to address the widening skills gap in the country.

The Series A round, led by Premji Invest with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and Z47, values Emversity at around $120 million post-money. This valuation marks a significant increase from its pre-Series A round in April 2025, where it was valued at about $60 million. With a total funding of $46 million, Emversity is strategically positioning itself to meet the demands of the Indian workforce.

India is experiencing challenges with a skills gap, particularly in sectors like healthcare and hospitality. Emversity’s approach involves integrating employer-designed training programs into university curricula and collaborating with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for short-term certifications and placements. The startup is dedicated to training learners for ‘grey-collar’ roles such as nurses, physiotherapists, and hospitality staff, emphasizing hands-on training and credentialing.

Emversity has already trained around 4,500 learners and successfully placed 800 candidates. By focusing on roles that require practical skills and specific training, the startup is contributing to closing the skills gap and providing valuable job opportunities in India.

Source: TechCrunch

WitnessAI, a tech startup, has raised $58 million to address the growing concern around safeguarding sensitive data in AI-powered enterprise tools. With the rise of AI chatbots and agents in business operations, ensuring data privacy and compliance has become paramount.

Founded with the goal of creating ‘the confidence layer for enterprise AI,’ WitnessAI aims to mitigate the risks associated with inadvertent data leaks and compliance breaches when using advanced AI tools.

During a discussion on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Barmak Meftah, co-founder of Ballistic Ventures, and Rick Caccia, CEO of Witness AI, highlighted the projected substantial growth of the AI security market, estimated to reach $800 billion to $1.2 trillion by 2031.

The funding secured by WitnessAI underscores the industry’s recognition of the critical need for robust AI security measures in the evolving technological landscape. As AI interactions within enterprises expand, the potential risks of data exposure and unauthorized access also increase, necessitating proactive solutions to fortify digital defenses.

Source: TechCrunch

Skild AI, a robotics software company specializing in general-purpose robotic software, has secured a $1.4 billion Series C funding round, propelling its valuation to over $14 billion. This substantial investment, led by SoftBank, marks a significant milestone for the startup.

Founded in 2023, Skild AI focuses on developing foundation models for robots that can be easily integrated into various robotic systems without extensive additional training. The company’s approach aims to streamline the adaptation process for robots, enabling them to learn and improve by observing human tasks.

Noteworthy investors, including Nvidia, Macquarie Group, and 1789 Capital, participated in the funding round, underscoring the industry’s confidence in Skild AI’s technological advancements. The recent surge of interest in adaptable robotic software reflects a broader trend towards more efficient and agile automation solutions.

Skild AI’s success highlights the growing demand for innovative robotics technologies that can swiftly adapt to evolving tasks and environments. By reducing the training burden on robots, such advancements pave the way for increased adoption of automation across various sectors, from personal to industrial applications.

Source: TechCrunch

Liftoff Mobile, a tech company offering a platform that assists mobile app developers in marketing their apps, has officially filed for its initial public offering (IPO), marking a significant move in the tech industry. The company’s IPO filing comes on the heels of news about Discord exploring its own public debut.

Formed in 2021 through a merger of Liftoff and Vungle, Liftoff Mobile has caught the attention of major investors like Blackstone, which acquired a majority stake in the company. According to the S-1 filing, Blackstone will retain its position as the primary shareholder post-offering.

One notable aspect of Liftoff Mobile’s IPO is the extensive involvement of financial institutions in underwriting the listing. With three joint lead bankers and a total of 15 banks and financial entities collaborating on the offering, the level of interest and risk distribution in the market is notably high.

Despite the expected size of the IPO, which remains undisclosed, Liftoff Mobile boasts a significant user base, with 140,000 apps utilizing its services. The company reported revenues exceeding $519 million in 2025, alongside a net loss of just over $48 million. Additionally, Liftoff Mobile discloses carrying a debt load of $1.85 billion.

Source: TechCrunch

Type One Energy, a fusion power startup, has secured $87 million in funding, bringing its total venture investment to over $160 million. The company is focused on refining its stellarator technology, a magnetic confinement approach to fusion power. This recent funding will support Type One Energy in its efforts to develop gigawatts’ worth of clean power through nuclear fusion, offering a promising solution for the increasing demand for electricity, especially from data centers and the growing electrification of the economy.

Fusion power, achieved by fusing atoms to generate heat and energy, presents a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuel power plants without the associated pollution and risks of radioactive waste or meltdowns. Type One’s stellarator design involves twisting and turning magnets in a doughnut shape to control plasma, a key step in the fusion process. While previous stellarators have demonstrated plasma control, Type One Energy aims to advance this technology towards power generation.

This funding milestone underscores the growing interest and investment in sustainable energy solutions, with fusion power holding the potential to revolutionize the energy sector by providing abundant and environmentally friendly electricity. Stay tuned for further developments as Type One Energy progresses towards its Series B funding round.

Source: TechCrunch

AI security company, Depthfirst, has raised $40 million in a Series A round to bolster its AI-powered security platform, General Security Intelligence. Founded in October 2024, Depthfirst focuses on combating cyber threats using advanced AI technology. This investment, led by Accel Partners and joined by SV Angel, Mantis VC, and Alt Capital, will enable Depthfirst to expand its team for research, engineering, and sales efforts.

General Security Intelligence equips organizations with the capability to proactively scan and analyze their codebases and workflows for potential vulnerabilities. Depthfirst’s platform also empowers businesses to safeguard against credential exposures and monitor risks associated with open-source and third-party components.

Depthfirst’s CEO and co-founder, Qasim Mithani, highlighted the critical role of AI in modern cybersecurity, stating that “We’ve entered an era where software is written faster than it can be secured.” Mithani emphasized the transformative impact of automation on cyber threats, noting that AI has revolutionized attackers’ tactics, necessitating a corresponding evolution in defense strategies.

Depthfirst’s leadership team, including co-founder Daniele Perito and CTO Andrea Michi, brings extensive experience in AI and security from reputable tech companies like Square and Google DeepMind, underscoring the team’s expertise in addressing sophisticated cybersecurity challenges.

By leveraging AI for defensive purposes, Depthfirst exemplifies the crucial role of technology in safeguarding against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The company’s strategic focus on AI-driven security solutions aligns with the growing demand for innovative approaches to cybersecurity in the digital age.

Source: TechCrunch

VoiceRun, a startup specializing in AI voice agents, recently announced securing $5.5 million in funding led by FlyBridge. Co-founders Nicholas Leonard and Derek Caneja identified design challenges in existing voice agents, prompting them to develop a unique solution. They observed a gap in the market where some agents were hastily created using no-code tools, leading to subpar quality, while others required extensive time and resources for development.

Leonard emphasized the need for an alternative that would empower developers and enterprises to build effective voice agents efficiently. This realization inspired the creation of VoiceRun, a platform that enables users to code voice agents, providing greater flexibility and customization compared to traditional visual interface tools. Leonard explained that coding agents operate more effectively in code, offering a wide range of configuration options that may not be supported by visual interfaces.

By embracing a coding-centric approach, VoiceRun aims to simplify the creation of voice agents, allowing users to implement diverse functionalities like speaking in different dialects with ease. This shift towards coding-driven development signifies a significant advancement in voice agent technology, promising enhanced user experiences and streamlined agent management.

Source: TechCrunch

SkyFi, an Austin-based startup, has raised $12.7 million in Series A funding to enhance its platform, which transforms satellite images into valuable insights. The company operates as a marketplace for imagery from over 50 geospatial partners, serving industries like finance, defense, infrastructure, and insurance.

CEO Luke Fischer highlighted SkyFi’s evolution from providing imagery to offering advanced analytics and insights through its website and mobile app. The platform allows users to task satellites for capturing location-specific images at designated times, streamlining the process for government and commercial clients.

Focusing on delivering actionable answers promptly, SkyFi aims to differentiate itself in the competitive imagery market. This commitment to value-added services played a significant role in attracting investors for the recent funding round, which exceeded the initial target of $8 million.

The funding round, co-led by Buoyant Ventures and IronGate Capital Advisors, featured participation from notable investors such as DNV Ventures, Beyond Earth Ventures, and TFX Capital. The diverse investor base reflects the broad applications of SkyFi’s technology across climate, maritime, defense, and space sectors.

By bridging the gap between satellite imagery and meaningful insights, SkyFi is poised to redefine how businesses and organizations leverage geospatial data for informed decision-making, setting a new standard in the industry.

Source: TechCrunch

ElevenLabs, the AI voice-generation company, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $330 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) last year, as revealed by CEO Mati Staniszewski in an interview with Bloomberg. The company’s rapid growth trajectory is evident, with key milestones including reaching $100 million in ARR in 20 months, $200 million in 10 months, and the recent $330 million mark in just five months.

The core technology driving ElevenLabs’ success is its innovative voice agent technology, utilized by both Fortune 500 companies and startups. This technology leverages company data and knowledge bases to enhance customer support and experience interactions, handling over 50,000 calls per month for enterprises.

Backed by substantial funding rounds, ElevenLabs raised $180 million in Series C funding in 2025, leading to a valuation of $3.3 billion. Subsequent investments have further increased the company’s value, enabling strategic expansions and partnerships.

In addition to its voice agent solutions, ElevenLabs has diversified its offerings by introducing music creation capabilities and collaborating with renowned personalities like Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey to generate AI-driven content using their voices.

This remarkable growth and technological advancements demonstrate ElevenLabs’ position as a leader in the AI voice-generation sector, reshaping customer interactions and setting new industry standards.

Source: TechCrunch

Ammobia, a startup in the chemical industry, has developed a new approach to the century-old Haber-Bosch process used for ammonia production. This innovation could potentially reduce production costs by up to 40%, opening doors to diverse applications beyond fertilizer production. Ammonia, a vital component for global agriculture, has remained largely unchanged in its manufacturing process since its inception.

To validate their technology at scale, Ammobia has secured a $7.5 million seed funding round from prominent investors, including Air Liquide’s ALIAD, Chevron Technology Ventures, Chiyoda Corporation, MOL Switch, and Shell Ventures, as reported by TechCrunch. If successful, this innovation could lead to a significant shift in industries reliant on ammonia, such as power generation and maritime shipping.

Ammonia has garnered attention globally for its potential to serve as a cleaner alternative to hydrogen in decarbonizing various sectors. Countries like Japan and South Korea are considering ammonia as a crucial component in their industrial and transportation strategies due to its superior transport and storage advantages over hydrogen.

Despite its promise, the traditional Haber-Bosch process is a notable contributor to environmental pollution, emitting a substantial portion of global greenhouse gases. Ammobia’s approach aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and address environmental concerns associated with conventional ammonia production methods.

Source: TechCrunch